3/2/2020

• The finite element analysis is a numerical technique. In this method all the
complexities of the problems, like varying shape, boundary conditions and loads are
maintained as they are but the solutions obtained are approximate. Because of its
diversity and flexibility as an analysis tool, it is receiving much attention in
engineering.

• The fast improvements in computer hardware technology and slashing of cost of

computers have boosted this method, since the computer is the basic need for the
application of this method.

• A number of popular brand of finite element analysis packages are now available
commercially. Some of the popular packages are STAAD-PRO, GT-STRUDEL,
NASTRAN, NISA and ANSYS.

1
 3/2/2020

• The finite element analysis originated as a method of stress analysis in the design of
aircrafts. It started as an extension of matrix method of structural analysis.

• Today this method is used not only for the analysis in solid mechanics, but even in the
analysis of fluid flow, heat transfer, electric and magnetic fields and many others. Civil
engineers use this method extensively for the analysis of beams, space frames, plates,
shells, folded plates, foundations, rock mechanics problems and seepage analysis of
fluid through porous media.

• Both static and dynamic problems can be handled by finite element analysis. This
method is used extensively for the analysis and design of ships, aircrafts, space crafts,
electric motors and heat engines.

• In engineering problems there are some basic unknowns. If they are found, the
behaviour of the entire structure can be predicted. The basic unknowns or the Field
variables which are encountered in the engineering problems are

• In a continuum, these unknowns are infinite. The f

and
by expressing the unknown field variables in terms of assumed approximating functions
(Interpolating functions/Shape functions) within each element.

• The approximating functions are defined in terms of field variables of specified points called
.

• Thus in the finite element analysis the unknowns are the field variables of the nodal points.

• Once these are found the field variables at any point can be found by using interpolation
functions. After selecting elements and nodal unknowns next step in finite element analysis is to
assemble element properties for each element.

• For example, in solid mechanics, we have to find the force-displacement i.e. stiffness
characteristics of each individual element. Mathematically this relationship is of the form

[K ] { }  { f }
e e e
wh ere [k] e i s eleme nt s tiffne s s m at ri x , { δ} e is no da l
displacement vector of the element and {F} e is nodal force
vector.

2
 3/2/2020

• The element of stiffness matrix kij represent the force in coordinate direction ‘i’ due
to a unit displacement in coordinate direction ‘j’.
• Four methods are available for formulating these element properties viz. direct
approach, variational approach, weighted residual approach and energy
balance approach.
• Any one of these methods can be used for assembling element properties. In solid
mechanics variational approach is commonly employed to assemble stiffness matrix
and nodal force vector (consistant loads).
• Element properties are used to assemble global properties/structure properties to get
system equations [k]{δ} ={F}. Then the boundary conditions are imposed. The
solution of these simultaneous equations give the nodal unknowns.
• Using these nodal values additional calculations are made to get the required values
e.g. stresses, strains, moments, etc. in solid mechanics problems.

• Thus the various steps involved in the finite element analysis are:
– Select suitable field variables and the elements.
– Discritise the continua.
– Select interpolation functions.
– Find the element properties.
– Assemble element properties to get global properties.
– Impose the boundary conditions.
– Solve the system equations to get the nodal unknowns.
– Make the additional calculations to get the required values.

3
 3/2/2020

Example

• The steps involved in finite element analysis are clarified by taking the stress analysis of a
tension strip with fillets (refer Fig.1.1). In this problem stress concentration is to be studies in
the fillet zone.
• Since the problem is having symmetry about both x and y axes, only one quarter of the tension
strip may be considered as shown in Fig.1.2. About the symmetric axes, transverse
displacements of all nodes are to be made zero.

• Step 1: Four noded isoparametric element (refer Fig 1.3) is selected for the analysis
(However note that 8 noded isoparametric element is ideal for this analysis). The four noded
isoparametric element can take quadrilateral shape also as required for elements 12, 15, 18,
etc. As there is no bending of strip, only displacement continuity is to be ensured but not the
slope continuity. Hence displacements of nodes in x and y directions are taken as basic
unknowns in the problem.
• Step 2: The portion to be analysed is to be discretised. Fig. 1.2 shows discretised portion. For
this 33 elements have been used. There are 48 nodes. At each node unknowns are x and y
components of displacements. Hence in this problem total unknowns (displacements) to be
determined are 48 × 2 = 96.

4
 3/2/2020

Step 3: The displacement of any point inside the element is approximated by suitable functions
in terms of the nodal displacements of the element. For the typical element (Fig. 1.3 b),
displacements at P are

The approximating functions Ni are called shape functions or interpolation functions. Usually
they are derived using polynomials.

Step 4: Now the stiffness characters and consistant loads are to be found for each
element. There are four nodes and at each node degree of freedom is 2. Hence
degree of freedom in each element is 4 × 2 = 8. The relationship between the nodal
displacements and nodal forces is called element stiffness characteristics. It is of the
form

For the element under consideration, ke is 8 × 8 matrix and δe and Fe are vectors of 8 values. In
solid mechanics element stiffness matrix is assembled using variational approach i.e. by
minimizing potential energy.

If the load is acting in the body of element or on the surface of element, its equivalent at nodal
points are to be found using variational approach, so that right hand side of the above expression
is assembled. This process is called finding consistant loads.

5
 3/2/2020

Step 5: The structure is having 48 × 2 = 96 displacement and load vector components to be determined.
Hence global stiffness equation is of the form

Each element stiffness matrix is to be placed in the global stiffness matrix appropriately. This process is called
assembling global stiffness matrix. In this problem force vector F is zero at all nodes except at nodes 45, 46, 47
and 48 in x direction. For the given loading nodal equivalent forces are found and the force vector F is
assembled.
Step 6: In this problem, due to symmetry transverse displacements along AB and BC are zero. The system
equation [k]{F} = {δ} is modified to see that the solution for {δ} comes out with the above values. This
modification of system equation is called imposing the boundary conditions.

Step 7: The above 96 simultaneous equations are solved using the standard numerical procedures like Gauss
elimination or Choleski’s decomposition techniques to get the 96 nodal displacements.

Step 8: Now the interest of the analyst is to study the stresses at various points. In solid mechanics the relationship
between the displacements and stresses are well established. The stresses at various points of interest may be
found by using shape functions and the nodal displacements and then stresses calculated. The stress
concentrations may be studies by comparing the values obtained at various points in the fillet zone with the values
at uniform zone, far away from the fillet (which is equal to P/b2t).

Finite Element Methods vs Classical Methods

1. In classical methods exact equations are formed and exact solutions are obtained where as in finite element
analysis exact equations are formed but approximate solutions are obtained.
2. Solutions have been obtained for few standard cases by classical methods, where as solutions can be
obtained for all problems by finite element analysis.
3. Whenever the following complexities are faced, classical method makes the drastic assumptions and looks
for the solutions:
(a) Shape
(b) Boundary conditions
(c) Loading
Fig. 1.4 shows such cases in the analysis of slabs (plates). To get the solution in the above cases, rectangular
shapes, same boundary condition along a side and regular equivalent loads are to be assumed. In FEM no
such assumptions are made. The problem is treated as it is.
4. When material property is not isotropic, solutions for the problems become very difficult in classical
method. Only few simple cases have been tried successfully by researchers. FEM can handle structures with
anisotropic properties also without any difficulty.
5. If structure consists of more than one material, it is difficult to use classical method, but finite element can
be used without any difficulty.
6. Problems with material and geometric non-linearities can not be handled by classical methods. There is no
difficulty in FEM.

6
 3/2/2020

Hence FEM is superior to the classical methods only for the problems involving a number of
complexities which cannot be handled by classical methods without making drastic assumptions.
For all regular problems, the solutions by classical methods are the best solutions. Infact, to
check the validity of the FEM programs developed, the FEM solutions are compared with the
solutions by classical methods for standard problems.

Finite Element Methods vs Finite Difference Methods

1. FDM makes pointwise approximation to the governing equations i.e. it ensures continuity only at
the node points. Continuity along the sides of grid lines are not ensured. FEM make piecewise
approximation i.e. it ensures the continuity at node points as well as along the sides of the element.

2. FDM do not give the values at any point except at node points. It do not give any approximating
function to evaluate the basic values (deflections, in case of solid mechanics) using the nodal values.
FEM can give the values at any point. However the values obtained at points other than nodes are
by using suitable interpolation formulae.

3. FDM makes stair type approximation to sloping and curved boundaries as shown in Fig. 1.5.
FEM can consider the sloping boundaries exactly. If curved elements are used, even the curved
boundaries can be handled exactly.

4. FDM needs larger number of nodes to get good results while FEM needs fewer nodes.

5. With FDM fairly complicated problems can be handled where as FEM can handle allcomplicated
problems.

7
 3/2/2020

What is the need to study FEA?

To use the FEA packages properly, the user must know the following points clearly:

1. Which elements are to be used for solving the problem in hand.

2. How to discritise to get good results.
3. How to introduce boundary conditions properly.
4. How the element properties are developed and what are their limitations.
5. How the displays are developed in pre and post processor to understand their
limitations.
6. To understand the difficulties involved in the development of FEA programs and
hence the need for checking the commercially available packages with the results of
standard cases.
The finite element knowledge makes a good engineer better while just user without the
knowledge of FEA may produce more dangerous results.

Unless user has the background of FEA, he may produce worst results and may go with
overconfidence. Hence it is necessary that the users of FEA package should have sound
knowledge of FEA.

8
 3/2/2020

Fundamental Concept of FEM

• A continuous field of a certain domain having infinite
degrees of freedom is approximated by a set of piecewise
continuous models with a number of finite regions called
elements. The number of unknowns defined as nodes
are determined using a given relationship i.e.{F}=[K]*{d}.

Fundamental Concept of FEM


Domain 
x

Domain with degrees of freedom

• Red line-Continuous field over the
entire domain.


x • Blue line-Finite number of linear
approximations with the finite number of
 Subdomain e

Domain divided with subdomains

with degrees of freedom elements



 


x

9
 3/2/2020

General Steps
1) Discretize the domain
a) Divide domain into finite elements using appropriate element types (1-D, 2-
D, 3-D, or Axisymmetric)
2) Select a Displacement Function
a) Define a function within each element using the nodal values
3) Define the Strain/Displacement and Stress/strain Relationships
4) Derive the Element Stiffness Matrix and Equations
a)Derive the equations within each element

General Steps

5) Assemble the Element Equations to Obtain the Global or Total

Equations and Introduce Boundary Conditions
a)Add element equations by method of superposition to obtain global
equation
6) Solve for the Unknown Degrees of Freedom (i.e primary
unknowns)
7) Solve for the Element Strains and Stresses
8) Interpret the Results

10
 3/2/2020

Applications

• Stress Analysis
– Truss and frame analysis
– Stress concentration
• Buckling
• Vibration analysis
• Heat transfer
• Fluid flow

Advantages of FEM
• Model irregularly shaped bodies
• Compute General load conditions
• Model bodies composed of different materials
• Solve unlimited numbers and kinds of boundary conditions
• Able to use different element sizes in places where loads or stresses are
concentrated
• Handle non-linear behavior using linear approximations
• Reduce System Cost

11
 3/2/2020

FEM Packages
• Large Commercial Programs
– Designed to solve many types of problems
– Can be upgraded fairly easily
– Initial Cost is high
– Less efficient
• Special-purpose programs
– Relatively short, low development costs
– Additions can be made quickly
– Efficient in solving their specific types of problems
– Can’t solve different types of problems

FEM Packages

• Algor • IMAGES-3D
• ANSYS • MSC/NASTRAN
• COSMOS/M • SAP90
• STARDYNE • GT-STRUDL

12
 3/2/2020

Note on Stiffness matrix

For a 1-D bar, the stiffness matrix is derived from the stress/strain relationship in Hooke’s law and
the definitions of stress and strain.

σx = Eεx ; σx = P/A ; εx = du/dx = (d2x – d1x)/L

L E
By substitution: -f1x = EA (d2x – d1x) A
L f1 f2
f1x = EA (d1x – d2x) d1x d2x
L
Similarly for f2x: f2x = EA (d2x – d1x)
L
Combining into matrix form, the stiffness matrix is defined as

[k] = EA 1 -1
L -1 1

Note on the displacement

function
•For a given set of nodes there exists a function that approximates the displacement at any position
along the bar. This function, called the displacement function, is derived from Pascal’s Triangle.

•A new constant is introduced into the function for every node in the discretized domain.

For 1-D u(x) = a1 + a2x + a3x2 + …

13
 3/2/2020

Note on the displacement function

If a 1-D bar is broken into 2 elements, the displacement functionwould be
u(x) = a1 + a2x + a3x2.

Putting it into matrix notation: u(x) = [1 x x2] a1

a2
a3

By knowing the distances to the nodes and the displacements at those nodes, the equation
becomes:
u1 1 0 0 a1
u2 1 x x 2
a2
= 2 2
u3 1 x3 x32 a3

where x1 = 0, x2 and x3 are the distances to the nodes and u1, u2, and u3 are the displacements.

The coefficients are found by solving the equation.

Example
Determine displacements of materials a and b if the load P is applied to the end of the bar
given the above information.

E 2E

a A b A P

L L

14
 3/2/2020

Example con’t.
1) Discretize the domain with appropriate elements.

Element a Element b

f1 f3 = P
1 2 3
u1 u2 u3

f1 2 f21 f22 2 3 f3 = P
1

u1 u2 u2 u3

Example con’t.

2) Select a displacement function

There will be new term for each element, and the terms are

derived from Pascal’s triangle.

1 2 3

u1 u2 u3

u(x) = a1 + a2x + a3x2

15
 3/2/2020

Example con’t.
3) Define stress/displacement and stress/strain relationships
σx = Eεx εx = du/dx
4) Derive the element stiffness matrix and element equations
{F} = [k]{d} [k] = stiffness matrix

[k] = EA 1 -1
{F} = Force
L -1 1
{d} = displacement
a b
f1 EA 1 -1 u1 EA 2 -2
f22 u2
f21 = L u2 , =
-1 1 f3 L -2 2 u3

Example con’t.
5) Construct Global equation and introduce boundary
conditions and known variables.

f1 1 -1 0
EA u1 Global Equation
f21+f22 =
-1 3 -2 u2
f3 L
u3
0 -2 2

B.C.: (x =0) u1 = 0
Known variables: f3 = P and f2 = f21+f22 = 0

16
 3/2/2020

Example con’t.
6) Solve for unknowns.

f1 1 -1 0
EA 0
0 =
-1 3 -2 u2
P L
u3
0 -2 2

f1 = -EAu2 0 = EA(3u2-2u3) P = EA(2u3-2u2)

L L L

u2 = PL u3 = 3PL
EA 2EA f1 = -P

Example con’t.

7) Solve for the element strains and stresses.

εa = P = u2 σa = Eεa = P
EA L A

εb = 3P = u3 σa = 2E εb = P
2EA L 3 A

8) Interpret the Results

•After solving for the displacements, the coefficients of the

displacement function can be determined.

17